Bob Etheridge (born August 7, 1941) is a member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina, representing that state's 2nd congressional district (map). Etheridge, a Democrat was first elected to the House in 1996. Born in Sampson County, North Carolina, Etheridge attended Campbell University and served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967. A tobacco farmer and hardware store owner, Etheridge served as a Harnett County commissioner from 1973 to 1977. In 1978, he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he served for four terms and rose to chair the House Appropriations Committee. In 1988, Etheridge was elected North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction. His wife is a school nutritionist and they have three children and two grandchildren. After serving two terms in that office, Etheridge was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996; he serves on the Agriculture and Homeland Security committees. Etheridge currently resides in Harnett County, North Carolina.
Etheridge was elected to his fifth consecutive term in the 2004 Congressional elections, earning 62f the popular vote and defeating Republican Billy Creech.
He is active in Freemasonry and is currently the Grand Orator for North Carolina Freemasonry.
